By: Ty Davis
It’s an idyllic scenario for a dog owner to be able to let their pet off-leash: to walk in the neighborhood, play in the park or roam the hills without worrying about a thing.
While letting your dog run free might seem fun and convenient, it’s important to remember that you’re sharing public spaces with others who may not appreciate an unsolicited visit from your furry friend.
“We have to be courteous of other people wanting to enjoy a space,” says Beth Friedman, certified dog behavior consultant and co-owner of Canine Companion Consulting in Fort Collins. “If I had a dog that wasn’t going to respond to me, I’m not going to let [them] off-leash because it could make another dog upset that is on-leash.”
And yet it’s a major problem for parks and natural areas, says Zachary Cook, district manager for the Big Thompson Conservation District within the Larimer County Department of Natural Resources. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons rangers speak with people in natural areas.
Northern Colorado leash laws
In most public places throughout Northern Colorado, it is against the law to have a dog off-leash outside designated areas. Both Larimer and Weld counties require that dogs always remain on a leash on trails and in any other public space.
State parks also require dogs to be leashed at all times. Rocky Mountain National Park enforces a strict no-dog policy on all trails, tundra and meadows, with dogs only allowed on select roads and in parking lots, campgrounds and picnic areas if they are on a leash.
Respecting wildlife
Having a dog off-leash in natural areas or on trails is especially problematic because they can pose a risk to wildlife and vice versa, says Reghan Cloudman, spokeswoman with the U.S. Forest Service districts in Northern Colorado. She and Cook cite moose, snakes and coyotes as most likely to harm off-leash dogs.
“There are dangers to the dogs themselves if they’re off leash running around the grass with some of our rattlesnake populations,” Cook says. “Even some of the mammal predators [could harm them] if they were to lure the dog away.”
Off-leash dogs that chase wild animals can also make them feel unsafe in these areas, Cloudman says. This can have a number of repercussions for wildlife, causing them stress or harm.
However, it’s not just run-ins with wildlife that pose a problem. Even if your dog is friendly, Cook says encounters with other people and their pets can also be dangerous.
Dangers to people and other dogs
Some people are afraid of dogs due to a traumatic experience, and for others, an accident involving a dog can cause a lifetime of fear. Those who are attacked by an off-leash dog could need medical attention or to see a counselor, and if their dog was attacked, additional training may be necessary to help them and their pet overcome any resulting anxiety.
“Your dog being off-leash could be a trigger to someone regardless of [their] behavior,” says Amber Quann, CEO and head trainer at Summit Dog Training in Fort Collins. Many of her clients and their dogs come to her for training after being attacked by an off-leash dog whose owner wasn’t being responsible.
Off-leash dogs also face many other hazards when it comes to city environments. They can wander into traffic, cross onto pesticide-treated lawns or dig into someone’s trash and get sick. These dangers, in addition to harmful interactions with neighborhood dogs and their owners, make having dogs off-leash not worth the risk.
“I do believe in obeying leash laws in city environments (including counties and other civil areas),” Quann says. “I think we should be finding creative ways to give our dogs off-leash time in a way that minimally impacts other people.”
Use caution at dog parks
While Quann advocates for keeping dogs on-leash where instructed and finding legal areas for them to get off-leash time, she notes issues with the current dog parks in Northern Colorado.
She says that many dog parks don’t provide adequate space for dogs to roam around, which can lead to higher levels of stress. For her, the ideal scenario would be large open spaces for dogs, like the Westminster Hills Off-Leash Dog Park, which boasts 420 acres of off-leash space for dogs to explore.
Until these types of open spaces appear in Northern Colorado, however, dog parks may be the best solution for people who don’t have acres of fenced-in land and want to let their pup run off some energy. Going during quieter times can help to avoid crowding and reduce the likelihood of problems with other dogs. There are still risks, of course, but fewer than if you were to let them run free around town or in the foothills.
Though off-leash dogs continue to be a problem, Cook says education about the risks has helped to reduce the number of people with dogs off-leash in public: “Frequently, we can change behavior without penalty assessments and just [give them] polite educational contact.”
NOCO’s Top Dog Parks
Fort Collins
Fossil Creek Dog Park
Located in Fossil Creek Park, this dog park is one of the largest in Northern Colorado. With lots of seating and plenty of water bowls, it’s a great place to let your dog expel some energy in the summer months.
Spring Canyon Dog Park
Dog owners find this spacious park enticing due to the ample shade and a newly redone swimming area for their pups to jump in and cool off. It is also adjacent to picnic areas, tennis courts, a ballpark and a large playground.
Loveland
Dog Park at Fairgrounds Park
This wide-open dog park has a designated area for small or shy dogs to minimize negative interactions. A water fountain is stationed at the dog park entrance, and it has lots of grass (not gravel), which is easy on tender paws.
Dog Park at Mehaffey Park
Featuring two sections with plenty of space for pups to run around, this dog park is known for its ramps and hurdles. It is also near several open spaces and reservable shelters that are perfect for summer picnics.
Berthoud
Berthoud Dog Park
A neighborhood dog park with separate sections for small and large dogs as well as cement tubes to run through and climb on. However, there is very little shade, so you won’t want to stay long on a hot afternoon.
Wellington
Wellington Community Park
Located within Wellington Community Park, this dog park has separate sections for large and small dogs. It also features a grassy pond area for dogs to swim in during the summer months.
Timnath
Timnath Dog Park
While it’s not particularly big, this dog park still features separate areas for large and small dogs. It also includes rock and concrete obstacles for dogs to interact with, and there’s plenty of shade to keep you cool.
Windsor
Poudre Pooch Park
A spacious area with lots of trees for shade, this dog park has a grass dog run with picnic tables to rest at while you watch your pup play.
Greeley
Rover Run Dog Park
At three acres, this dog park is a big, grassy square. While the park lacks amenities like water fountains and hurdles, it makes up for that in sheer size and lack of restrictions.
